Dioaquatics’ Fishroom

[Geoff]

Oh nice! Purple emperors are one of the tetras on my bucket list

I got them temperature acclimating in the QT right now. I had to leave work early. (Darn)

 

[DioAquatics]

I got them temperature acclimating in the QT right now. I had to leave work early. (Darn)

Aw man that sucks that you had to leave work early to go mess around with your new fish. What a bummer lol

 

[Geoff]

Aw man that sucks that you had to leave work early to go mess around with your new fish. What a bummer lol

I know! It's the worst!

They're still pale. Hopefully they'll color up when they settle in. I'll see how they look later tonight. I'll post a pic on my thread if they're looking pretty lol.

 

[DioAquatics]

I know! It's the worst!

They're still pale. Hopefully they'll color up when they settle in. I'll see how they look later tonight. I'll post a pic on my thread if they're looking pretty lol.

They should color up nicely once they settle in. My QT tank is set up as nearly a “display” tank. Sand, plants, and driftwood. Makes them feel really comfortable and display their best colors

 

[Geoff]

They should color up nicely once they settle in. My QT tank is set up as nearly a “display” tank. Sand, plants, and driftwood. Makes them feel really comfortable and display their best colors

Wow, your QT is like the Ritz. Mine is the No Tell Motel. Bare as can be lol.

 

[DioAquatics]

Wow, your QT is like the Ritz. Mine is the No Tell Motel. Bare as can be lol.

Lol it’s pretty planted up for a QT tank lol I’m hoping that they spawn in there for me and I can raise up some baby silvertips

 

[Geoff]

How long do you QT for? I feel like you got the silver tips a while ago?

 

[DioAquatics]

How long do you QT for? I feel like you got the silver tips a while ago?

The silvertips are going to be in QT for 6 weeks. I’ve had them for almost 3 weeks now. They’re doing amazing so far and haven’t shown any signs of illness *knocks in wood*

 

[Geoff]

The silvertips are going to be in QT for 6 weeks. I’ve had them for almost 3 weeks now. They’re doing amazing so far and haven’t shown any signs of illness *knocks in wood*

Nice! Great news.

Wow, 6 weeks. I only do 2! lol

 

[DioAquatics]

Nice! Great news.

Wow, 6 weeks. I only do 2! lol

Yea I try to keep them in QT for at least a month. I like to make sure they’re 100% healthy before they go with my other fish

 

[Geoff]

Yea I try to keep them in QT for at least a month. I like to make sure they’re 100% healthy before they go with my other fish

Makes total sense. Last year I got some cherry barbs that I ended up QTing for almost 2 months because they had ich. I did the heat treatment and it took a while to clear. The little buggers really held on to those fish. Then once it cleared up, I kept them in there for a couple more weeks to be sure it didn't come back. I almost didn't even QT them! (shhhhhh)

Couple months ago I got some sterbaI corys that I QTd for 2 weeks. They came through ok and so far so good since they've been in the tank.

I agree it would really stink if they had something that didn't show up until AFTER they made it through QT and then affected the rest of my fish. Hmmm, maybe I'll keep the purple emperors in QT for more than 2 weeks lol.

 

[DioAquatics]

Makes total sense. Last year I got some cherry barbs that I ended up QTing for almost 2 months because they had ich. I did the heat treatment and it took a while to clear. The little buggers really held on to those fish. Then once it cleared up, I kept them in there for a couple more weeks to be sure it didn't come back. I almost didn't even QT them! (shhhhhh)

Couple months ago I got some sterbaI corys that I QTd for 2 weeks. They came through ok and so far so good since they've been in the tank.

I agree it would really stink if they had something that didn't show up until AFTER they made it through QT and then affected the rest of my fish. Hmmm, maybe I'll keep the purple emperors in QT for more than 2 weeks lol.

I see to never QT fish and all my fish came from petsmart.... I know really bad. I’ve dealt with ich, worms, all the good stuff lol. But I know better now and I QT all my fish.

I didn’t QT the sterbaI and rainbows I got from DarkOne but I know where they came from and have his threads to look back at and know they’re 100% healthy.

I’d suggest to QT them for longer. I heard that neon tetra doesn’t only happen to neons but also most other tetras, hence the 6 week QT for my silvertips

 

[Geoff]

I see to never QT fish and all my fish came from petsmart.... I know really bad. I’ve dealt with ich, worms, all the good stuff lol. But I know better now and I QT all my fish.

I didn’t QT the sterbaI and rainbows I got from DarkOne but I know where they came from and have his threads to look back at and know they’re 100% healthy.

I’d suggest to QT them for longer. I heard that neon tetra doesn’t only happen to neons but also most other tetras, hence the 6 week QT for my silvertips

My sterbais came from Petsmart lol. I probably got lucky with only QTing them for 2 weeks. But the fish in that particular store always seemed healthy enough, and the tanks are usually clean enough, so I wasn't too overly worried. My ich-y cherry barbs from last year came from Imperial Tropicals, and I've always had good results with them. I guess it really can be hit or miss no matter where they came from, unless you know 100% about the conditions they were raised and kept in, like in your case with the fish you got from DarkOne.

I didn't realize neon tetra disease can affect other tetras. I think I'll do a longer QT with these guys after all. I got them from Trins Fish and there is one thing I am kinda irritated about...there's duckweed in the bag lol.

 

[DioAquatics]

My sterbais came from Petsmart lol. I probably got lucky with only QTing them for 2 weeks. But the fish in that particular store always seemed healthy enough, and the tanks are usually clean enough, so I wasn't too overly worried. My ich-y cherry barbs from last year came from Imperial Tropicals, and I've always had good results with them. I guess it really can be hit or miss no matter where they came from, unless you know 100% about the conditions they were raised and kept in, like in your case with the fish you got from DarkOne.

I didn't realize neon tetra disease can affect other tetras. I think I'll do a longer QT with these guys after all. I got them from Trins Fish and there is one thing I am kinda irritated about...there's duckweed in the bag lol.

The thing with the big box stores, is that some are a lot better than others. I’ve been to petsmart that have phenomenal fish and everything it is great condition. While other the petsmart that’s closest to me, has sick fish ALL the time. It’s a hit or miss with chain stores. I got an order of 30 neon tetras from live aquaria and they all died within a week or so.

Yea when I learned that, I was paranoid because I love tetras and don’t want to go through it with the rest of them. It’s not super common to happen but I’d rather be safe than sorry honestly.

FISHROOM UPDATE.
So I got the new LED lights in the mail, kind of 50/50 with them right now.
Pros, they’re very bright lights, a lot brighter than the LED lights I had before. They’re linkable so I have all 4 light on one outlet instead of having a mess of cables and plugs for multiple lights.
Cons, they come with hanging hardware but it’s only the clips that go attacked under cabinets or directly on the ceiling, not the hanging cables like I wanted. So I have the lights just resting in the tanks. Second con, they don’t have anything to control the direction of the light, so it’s kind of just disbursing light all over my basement instead of directly into the tanks.
How can I fix the cons? Well like I said, I can buy a kit to hang the lights from the ceiling with the hanging cables or whatever. To control the lighting direction, I’m thinking of just buying some pvc gutter and using that to “control” the lights direction a little better.
Here’s a picture of the lights on the tanks.


Second thing I got in the mail is my metal 2-way gang valves. Got a pack of 5 for now for the tanks I actually have set up. I’ll get another pack for the rest of the tanks when the time comes. I had some of the cable holders that coralbandit mentioned so I put gen to use and have all of the valves held in place with them. I like how it’s all looking so far.


I placed the ones for the 20L directly behind the tanks. The ones for the 40B will be nailed on the underside of the top rack that way the airline hose will be hanging down into the tank, that way I won’t have to worry about a back siphon Incase if a power outage

 

[coralbandit]

You should see if the $5 amzon dimmers can work on your lights .

If you can place this in your line between power and light [look at and for connections ] 99% this will work ..Works on every light I have so far !
Nice with the cable holders and gang valves. You'll be happy they are one and done !

 

[DioAquatics]

You should see if the $5 amzon dimmers can work on your lights .

If you can place this in your line between power and light [look at and for connections ] 99% this will work ..Works on every light I have so far !
Nice with the cable holders and gang valves. You'll be happy they are one and done !

I might try those out. I don't mind how bright the lights are I just want the light to be directed in the tanks more

 

[DarkOne]

I got my SterbaI breeding group from PetCo. I had them in QT for about 3 months and they started breeding after taking out all the other cories and plecos. The QT is now their tank. I never had to treat any of the fish they were in with so that's a good thing. My CPD tank with ember tetras and C Pygmaeus was treated with about $100 worth of meds. All the fry are isolated in their own tanks too.

Do you have a better pic of the lights you got? I got a set of 8 and I took off the diffuser so the light is more focused downward and not spread out to the sides. Yours might be the same.

I would get some 2x4 scraps to screw the light mounts onto and hang them with plastic or metal chains (HD or Lowes). Speaker wire would work too. Or just wrap the chain/wire around the lights.

I have a few of those dimmers and I don't think it'll work with the shop lights. They have barrel connectors and the shop lights are a proprietary tri-connector (at least mine are).

 

[DioAquatics]

I got my SterbaI breeding group from PetCo. I had them in QT for about 3 months and they started breeding after taking out all the other cories and plecos. The QT is now their tank. I never had to treat any of the fish they were in with so that's a good thing. My CPD tank with ember tetras and C Pygmaeus was treated with about $100 worth of meds. All the fry are isolated in their own tanks too.

Do you have a better pic of the lights you got? I got a set of 8 and I took off the diffuser so the light is more focused downward and not spread out to the sides. Yours might be the same.

I would get some 2x4 scraps to screw the light mounts onto and hang them with plastic or metal chains (HD or Lowes). Speaker wire would work too. Or just wrap the chain/wire around the lights.

I have a few of those dimmers and I don't think it'll work with the shop lights. They have barrel connectors and the shop lights are a proprietary tri-connector (at least mine are).

My silver tips are from Pet Supply Plus and I haven't medicated them and seem to be doing amazing. As mentioned they seem to be spawning so they must be healthy.


These are the light I bought. I think I can remove the cover over the light, I might go try that right now and see if that helps with the light direction.

That's exactly what I was going to do. Get some type of wire or chain of some sort and just attach them to the ceiling.

 

[coralbandit]

My beamsworks are very bright also without dimmer ..Algae growing factories without being dimmed or at least too much too fast for me on all my tanks IMO.
Maybe the dimmers is how I get away with lights on for so long ? Sure helps to control algae on glass and thus maintenance time .
It doesn't look like they fit your lines though ..

 

[DioAquatics]

My beamsworks are very bright also without dimmer ..Algae growing factories without being dimmed or at least too much too fast for me on all my tanks IMO.
Maybe the dimmers is how I get away with lights on for so long ? Sure helps to control algae on glass and thus maintenance time .
It doesn't look like they fit your lines though ..

If I was more comfortable it wiring, I'm sure I could find a way to wire those dimmers into the lighting system. I'm hoping that when I hang the lights, it'll reduce any algae growth.

DarkOne You were right, the diffusers do come off on the lights and directed the lights into the tanks way more! No need to buy any gutters now lol Thanks!

 

[DarkOne]

I'm not a fan of pre-medicating fish in QT. It's good if you want a quick QT time but not needed if you have time.

Those are very similar to the ones I got (mine are 4'). The plastic diffuser just pops off. Start at one end. Once the diffuser is off, it's much more directed. Are you using them for the 40b's too?

Get some smart plugs for timers. They need to connect via wifI (might be a problem in the basement) but they're awesome. I have smart strips and plugs all connected to Alexa so they're all voice controlled.

 

[DioAquatics]

I'm not a fan of pre-medicating fish in QT. It's good if you want a quick QT time but not needed if you have time.

Those are very similar to the ones I got (mine are 4'). The plastic diffuser just pops off. Start at one end. Once the diffuser is off, it's much more directed. Are you using them for the 40b's too?

Get some smart plugs for timers. They need to connect via wifI (might be a problem in the basement) but they're awesome. I have smart strips and plugs all connected to Alexa so they're all voice controlled.

I usually pre-medicate all my fish but to save money, I'm going to just QT them for 6 weeks minimum and just watch them for anything.

Yea they popped right off and now the light is directed right into the tank. There still is a little bit of lighting leaking outwards but I don't mind it at all. I also found some old speaker wire from our old surround sound system so I'm going to use that to hang the lights. You saved me some money with both of these "DIYs" lol.
Look at the difference with the light diffusion on the new lights


More smart plugs are definitely being bought. I have them for my 75 gallon and 10 gallon and I love them. I think I actually showed you them a while back in a product review I did, didn't I? lol who knows. I want to buy 2 more of them for my 12g bowl and the fish room.

 

[DarkOne]

4pk Gosund smart plugs for $23

 

[DioAquatics]

4pk Gosund smart plugs for $23

I'm thinking about buying a smart plug strip and using that for the 75 gallon and 10g, that way I can have some extra plugs for when I get pressurized CO2. Then I can use the 2 smart plugs I already have for the fishroom lights and 12g in my room.

 

[DarkOne]

I'm thinking about buying a smart plug strip and using that for the 75 gallon and 10g, that way I can have some extra plugs for when I get pressurized CO2. Then I can use the 2 smart plugs I already have for the fishroom lights and 12g in my room.

I'm happy with the 2 smart strips I have now. They also have USB ports which is handy for my Echo Dot. The 4pk is cheaper than a smart strip though.

 

[DioAquatics]

I'm happy with the 2 smart strips I have now. They also have USB ports which is handy for my Echo Dot. The 4pk is cheaper than a smart strip though.

The only reason I'd want the smart strip to replace the smart plugs is so I have more options when it comes to what I can plug in. The smart plugs take up a lot of space so its hard to plug in anything else around them

 

[DarkOne]

Here's a few things that helped me plug everything in where I needed them. The last one (on/off switched plugs) are for filters when I do water changes. Much easier than unplugging them.

 

[jmaldo]

DarkOne
Thanks for the links!
I use this on the main display:

Works "Great"
Programmable schedules for each plug with my phone. And the receptacles are spaced wide enough apart for the larger plugs.

DioAquatics
Fishroom,
Looking Good

 

[DioAquatics]

Here's a few things that helped me plug everything in where I needed them. The last one (on/off switched plugs) are for filters when I do water changes. Much easier than unplugging them.

DarkOne
Thanks for the links!
I use this on the main display:

Works "Great"
Programmable schedules for each plug with my phone. And the receptacles are spaced wide enough apart for the larger plugs.

DioAquatics
Fishroom,
Looking Good

Thank you both for those links! I’ll see which ones would be if best use for me and make sure I get them for the fishroom

 

[DarkOne]

DarkOne
Thanks for the links!
I use this on the main display:

Works "Great"
Programmable schedules for each plug with my phone. And the receptacles are spaced wide enough apart for the larger plugs.

DioAquatics
Fishroom,
Looking Good

I have the same strip.

Thank you both for those links! I’ll see which ones would be if best use for me and make sure I get them for the fishroom

I've ordered multiples of those linked. I also use APC power strips that have plugs spaced slightly farther apart than most strips.

 

[DioAquatics]

Had a little fishy photo shoot in the fishroom today so enjoy these pictures
WCMM


Silvertip tetras


Apistogramma agassiziI Fire red male



Alpha swordtails

 

[Geoff]

I don’t know which ones I like best! They’re all beauties!

 

[DioAquatics]

I don’t know which ones I like best! They’re all beauties!

The alphas are my favorites right now lol

 

[clovervalley]

Ahhh wow those swordtails I’m digging swords recently! I haven’t seen WCMM before now, only heard their name, and they look waycooler than expected...

Do you use your phone for photos or do you have a camera?

 

[DioAquatics]

Ahhh wow those swordtails I’m digging swords recently! I haven’t seen WCMM before now, only heard their name, and they look waycooler than expected...

Do you use your phone for photos or do you have a camera?

I know right! The swords are my favorite fish in the fishroom! I eventually would like to buy the other 2 strains that coralbandit has and keep them in my other tanks WCMM are such an underrated fish, definitely a beautiful fish for a community tank.

I use my iPhone 8 plus. My sister has a canon t5 that I want to try to take pictures with but I need to learn more about it before I start messing around with it

 

[clovervalley]

coralbandit what types of strains do you keep? I know you were helping me out with identifying my unknown boys in one of my threads!

 

[DioAquatics]

coralbandit what types of strains do you keep? I know you were helping me out with identifying my unknown boys in one of my threads!

Not to be rude and answer for him but I know he's got albino whites, jet blacks and the alphas. At least those are the 3 that I want from him lol

 

[clovervalley]

Not to be rude and answer for him but I know he's got albino whites, jet blacks and the alphas. At least those are the 3 that I want from him lol

That makes sense that you would know some if you’re interested in buying them! I have two possibly Neon green males that I am looking to get females to breed with! I want to try my luck at babies just for the experience, and livebearers definitely give you that experience! I would love any swordtail breeding knowledge you have

 

[DioAquatics]

That makes sense that you would know some if you’re interested in buying them! I have two possibly Neon green males that I am looking to get females to breed with! I want to try my luck at babies just for the experience, and livebearers definitely give you that experience! I would love any swordtail breeding knowledge you have

Neon greens are nice swords! One of the first I every heard of actually. The first sword I ever owned was a red and black painted male swordtail. I tried to breed him to some trigger-colored koi females but that didn't go well as I did QT and the females we sick and go the male sick. This was a while back so I'm hoping this time around, I have a lot more luck breeding them since I'm more experienced. From what I can tell, breeding swords is pretty similar to other livebearers. Just put a male and female together, give them plenty on hiding places, feed them good quality foods and you should get fry lol. We'll see how it goes with my group of alphas

 

[DioAquatics]

Got the lights hanging from the ceiling. It looks so much better this way!


All I did was use some toggle bolts to hold the speaker cable in place with a washer. The other end is just being held with the clip that came with the light


I’ll be getting the same lights for the 40B on the bottom but I’ll just screw those into the support beams that hold the 20L.

 

[DarkOne]

Maybe put some 1x2 under the 20L's (front to back) and screw the mounts on that to center the lights over the 40b's?

 

[DioAquatics]

Maybe put some 1x2 under the 20L's (front to back) and screw the mounts on that to center the lights over the 40b's?

There’s already some 2x4 that are going front to back there that support the 20L. There where I will be screwing the lights to.

 

[DioAquatics]

Okay guys I need your opinions. I have the silvertips in a 10 gallon qt tank. This upcoming Saturday it’ll be 6 weeks that they’re in there and everyone is super healthy. They all eat like savages and swim around all day long.
I did notice one female that was HUGE. Like it looks likes she’s bursting with eggs, at least that’s what I’m hoping. What do you think?

 

[Lchi87]

I’m not 100% with tetra breeding but she definitely looks like she could be eggy!

 

[DioAquatics]

I’m not 100% with tetra breeding but she definitely looks like she could be eggy!

I'm hoping she’s just eggy and it isn’t anything serious. I’m desperate to get these guys in the 75g.

Also, the “mystery fry” is in fact a WCMM fry. He’s growing surprisingly well in the 5 gallon bucket that’s half filled. He’s starting to get red in some of his fins. Here’s a video of him (I’m calling it a him) in the shot glass.

 

[coralbandit]

I would think the tetra is not in good shape ? Just me ..
Maybe move all others ??
WCMM looks great !

 

[DioAquatics]

I would think the tetra is not in good shape ? Just me ..
Maybe move all others ??
WCMM looks great !

I was thinking of moving all the others and leaving her in the 10 for a little longer to see if she gets better.

 

[DarkOne]

I would leave them all in for another few weeks and keep an eye on her. If she's carrying eggs, it'll take a few weeks to spawn or absorb the eggs. If she's sick, it might take a few more weeks to show signs. If it's the latter, it could be contagious so leaving all of them in QT would be my choice.

 

[DioAquatics]

I would leave them all in for another few weeks and keep an eye on her. If she's carrying eggs, it'll take a few weeks to spawn or absorb the eggs. If she's sick, it might take a few more weeks to show signs. If it's the latter, it could be contagious so leaving all of them in QT would be my choice.

That’s easily done, makes it easier for me since I’d like to monitor the fish when I put them in the 75. My only issue is that I’m going on vacation this Tuesday the 6th and I won’t be back until the 13th. Do you think all the fish will be okay not eating for a week?

 

[DarkOne]

I wouldn't move any fish before your vacation. They should be fine for a week.